Interlocking toy building panels and blocks built therefrom



D. YOUNG Oct. 12, 1954 INTERLOCKING TOY BUILDING PANELS AND BLOCKS BUILTTHEREFROM Filed July 5, 1951 INVENTOR. .Da vi d "Youn Patented Get. 12,1954 IN TERLOCKIN G TOY BUILDING PANELS AND BLOCKS BUILT THEREFROM DavidYoung, White Salmon,

one-third to F. D. Wallace David Young, Jr., both Wash, assignor of andone-third to of White Salmon, Wash.

Application July 3, 1951, Serial No. 234,978

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a construction or assembly-type toy havingappeal to the inquisitive mind of young and old' alike. In particular,the invention provides a number of fiat building panels or walls whichserve to amuse and educate as they are assembled to form larger objectssuch as toy blocks and buildings. Each such panel, which may be abrightly colored plastic sheet or the like, carries one of the twotapered halves of a dovetail interlock element on each end. Thesedovetail elements serve to interlock the panels, one with another ingroups of four, to form a four-sided, hollow building block. After ayoungster has formed a number of these hollow blocks, the individualblocks can be assembled and interlocked one with another to construct atoy buiding such as a train depot, service station, or the like. Thus,one object of the invention is to provide two separate and independentinterlock or meshing elements for a toy building panel, one such elementserving to interlock the panels in the assembly of a toy building blockand the other serving to interlock a group of such blocks in theconstruction of a toy house, building or the like.

The propensity of preschool and school-age children alike to befascinated and amused by a building or construction-type toy is wellknown. Thus, parents often give such toys to their children in order towatch the child experiment and play at the construction of a toy blockand/or a toy building. Further, these parents realize thatconstruction-type toys instruct and educate the child in the intracaciesof a mechanical assembly, and they keep the child amused and silentwhile the parent is busy with other tasks. To the end that such a toymay appeal to a wide age group, it is necessary that a number of factorsbe kept in mind. Firstly, children of preschool age admire brightlycolored mechanical toys, the assembly or construction of which is not todifficult for the young minds to grasp. Additionally, the various partsor elements of the toy should be nontoxic and both the assembled toybuilding and the parts thereof should be light in weight, rugged, andflexible in order to withstand hard usage from pounding, chewing, andthrowing about of the toy. Secondly, somewhat older children demand atoy requiring an increased or more advanced skill to assembled and alife-like or natural appearance when assembled into a building or thelike. I-Iaving in mind these diverse factors, it is a primary object of.my invention to provide a constructiontype toy, educational in nature,which will amuse and entertain a large number of children in diverse agegroups by satisfying the above listed requirements.

To this end, I have provided the aforementioned building panels or wallswith two independent interlocking elements. The first such interlockingelement includes a complementary dovetail tenon and recess used in theassembly of a cube-like or rectangular solid block from the individualpanels. These dovetail elements purposely are tapered at right anglesone to another whereby assembly of blocks requires a certain amount ofskill, thus serving an older group of children. Further, the dovetailelements, when interlocked in companion pairs; provide a sturdy, ruggedbuilding block well adapted to resist hard usage and play. On the otherhand, the second interlocking element includes a pin and fork structurefor securing companion ones of said blocks one to another. This pin andfork structure requires a lesser degree of skill in assembly. Thus, ayoung child or toddler can be amused and kept interested if the parentwill assemble a number of the small building blocks and allow the childto play with and to assemble these blocks one with another. Further inthis vein, my invention provides a lightweight panel which is formedfrom a tough, brightly colored plastic or the like, yet which, by meansof a novel rib structure, is reinforced completely along those portionswhich are subject to the most stress and strain. Thus, whatever the agegroup, both the individual panels and the assembled blocks efficientlywill withstand hard usage. Yet further, the individual building blocks,when assembled into a complete building such as a service station,airplane hangar, or the like, present an appearance not unlike theappearance of full-size building block in a fullsize structure. Thisappearance adds to the amusement of both preschool and school-agechildren.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention hereinafter willbe set forth in the following detailed description, taken with 3reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a toy service station built with toybuilding blocks assembled in accord with this invention; and

Fig. 2 is a detail view, showing a number of individual toy buildingpanels in various stages of joinder and spaced vertically one fromanother better to indicate the manner in which both the panels and theblocks may be interlocked by independent interlocking elements.

I have shown, in Fig. 2 of the drawings, a number of individual buildingpanels joined in various stages of assembly. These panels are bestformed from a thermoplastic, such as Polystyrene, by injection molding.However, whether the panels are molded from plastic, pressed from metal,or otherwise formed, each panel should have a parallelogram shape akinto either the rectangular side units i or the square end units 2 of Fig.2. Aside from the shown differences in length, however, each of thepanels 1 and 2 is identical. Accordingly, I employ the term rightangular parallelogram as generic to to either of the panels shown or toan equivalent thereof.

Each of the building panels I and 2 is provided with a thin, flat wall 3bounded between a top margin 4, a bottom margin 5, and two end margins 6and I, respectively. A flat surfaced rib 8 projects laterally in fromthe wall 3 and extends completely around the aforementioned peripheralmargins. This rib is of uniform depth and is disposed perpendicular tothe wall 3 along the top and bottom margins 4 and 5 respectively. At theends of the panel, the rib is formed into interlock elements hereinafterto be described. Thus, as best shown in the middle and lower portions ofFig. 2, the rib 8 causes these elements to define an interlocking chainstitch along the corner between each pair of assembled panels.

To lock the individual panels I and 2 together when forming a buildingblock, each of the end margins S and l carry one of the twocomplementary, tapered halves of a dovetail interlocking means. Thus,the right and margin i carries a plurality of dovetail tenons 9. Thesedovetail tenons project longitudinally from the end margin i and theindividual tenons are bounded between a flat end face is (perpendicularto the wall 3) and two oblique side faces H (see the middle portion ofFig. 2). In a similar manner, the left end margin 6 carries a pluralityof dovetail recesses 12. Each of the dovetail recesses i2 iscomplementary to a corresponding one of the dovetail tenons 9. However,this complementary disposition is at right angles, rather than end toend, for a purpose hereinafter to be described. Thus, each dovetailrecess includes two oblique side faces l3 and an inner end face is lyingnormal to the aforementioned wall 3, and it is a recess side face l3which contacts each tenon side face H.

In assembly of the panels to form a hollow toy building block, fourpanels are used for each block. Thus, a rectangular solid may be formedby using two side panels i and two end panels 2 (see the bottom of Fig.2), a small cube may be formed by using four end panels 2, or a largecube may be formed by using four side panels I. This optional buildingblock size adds to the amusement value of the toy. The steps of assemblyare identical whichever block size is chosen. Accordingly, a typicalassembly operation will be described with reference to the four panelsA, B, C, and D shown at the bottom of Fig. 2. As previously mentioned,each of the dovetail tenons e is formed with the fiat end face IE! andthe oblique side faces H perpendicular to the wall ii whereas each ofthe dovetail recesses 12 is formed with the side faces l3 disposed at anoblique angle to this wall. Accordingly, the panel A is grasped in theleft hand and the panel B in the right hand with the complementarytenons and recesses disposed at right angles one to another. This is forthe reason that the tenons and recesses will not fit end to end but mustbe turned at right angles. Thereafter, the tenons 9 (on the panel A) arefitted into the recesses [2 (on the panel B) by sliding the end of thepanel A laterally sideways against the end of the panel B. The panels Cand D then are assembled in like manner. After these first steps ofassembly, two L-shaped structures will result (see the middle L shape inFig. 2). Thereafter, the two US are fitted together, again by arrangingthe panels A and B perpendicular to the panels C and D (in the shape ofa block) and slipping the corresponding tenons into the complementaryrecesses at right angles. As best shown at the bottom of Fig. 2, abuilding block assembled in this manner will resist detachment ordisassenzbly by virtue of the right angle interlock of each tenon andrecess. Thus, the tenons 9 on the left end of the panel C resist andprevent movement of the panel longitudinally of the tenons. In likemanner, the tenons on each of the other panels A, B, and D preventmovement longitudinally of their corresponding tenons. After thebuilding blocks have served their purpose, however, detachment ordisassembly is accommodated because the right angular joinder of thetenons and recesses accommodates movement longitudinally of therecesses. For example, the corner between the panels C and D can bedisassembled by moving the tenons on the panel C laterally away from therecesses in the panel D. Thus, each of the dovetail recessesaccommodates movement in a longitudinal direction whereas each of thedovetail tenons prevents movement in a direction of right anglesthereto.

Turning now to Fig. 1, I have shown a service station as one example ofa toy building which may be assembled from the building blockspreviously described. In assembling this service station, a number ofbuilding blocks have been stacked vertically, one upon another. In orderthat the vertical stacks of blocks adequately may resist lateraldisplacement relative one to another, I have provided a novel pin andfork structure now to be described. To this end, an upstanding pin it;is carried upon that portion of the fiat rib 8 which extends along thetop margin i of each panel. This pin'i5 is parallel to the wall 3 and isdisposed at a point intermediate the ends of the panel. Similarly, atwo-pronged for}; id protrudes laterally from intermediate the ends ofthat portion of the rib 8 bounding the bottom margin 5. The prongs ofeach fork It are spaced longitudinally by 'a distance substantiallyequal to the thickness of a corresponding pin it in order that the twoprongs may straddle the pin. Thus, when the building block assembledfrom the panels A, B, C, and D is complete, four pins i5 protrudeupwardly from the hollow interior of the block and four complementaryforks protrude laterally into the hollow interior of the block adjacentthe lower face thereof. This complementary lateral spacing of the pinsand forks prevents displacement of one building block relative toanother in each of four separate directions.

As shown in Fig. 1, I have provided a number of elements supplementaryto a group of my building blocks. Thus, any of numerous structures suchas a house, airplane hangar, toy railroad station, or the like, may beassembled for playing with other toys commonly used by children. In theservice station, shown as exemplary, a flat piece of cardboard I! isprovided for a base. This cardboard base has appropriate cutawayportions in which the vertical stacks of toy building blocks may rest.Thus, an elongated front cutway portion l8 accommodates both the two endpillars or stacks of building blocks l9 and a pump island (formed from arectangular piece of wood) such as is shown at 2B. To lend realism, twominiature gas pumps 2|, a clear plastic window 22, and a plastic door 23may be added. Further, elongated wood girders (not shown) may be laidover the assembled building blocks and a cardboard roof 24 placedthereupon. Whatever the supplementary items employed, however, it isevident that the toy building is assembled either by stacking two ormore hollow building blocks one upon the other or by laying two or morebuilding blocks horizontally face to face so the pins and forks mesh.Thus, the completed structure will have a natural, life-like appearanceand efficiently will resist lateral movement and displacement such asmay result from hard usage or play.

As will now be apparent, my construction-type toy possesses appeal for awide age group of children. For example, the assembly of the dovetailelements of the various panels A, B, C, and D sometimes may prove to betoo complex an operation for the mind of a very young child readily tograsp. However, the assembly of one block with another, by means of thepins I5 and forks i6, is relatively simple. Accordingly, very youngchildren will find amusement in assembling building blocks of varioussizes and shapes into long rows, tall stacks, or other shapes and forms.With somewhat older children, however, amusement will be provided in theassembly of the individual panels to form completed building blocks.Thereafter, the completed building blocks may be assembled into abuilding such as the service station shown. It is to serve this Wide agegroup that I have provided two separate and independent interlocking ormeshing elements for a toy building panel. One such element serves tointerlock the panels to form a building block whereas the other servesto interlock a group of such blocks in the construction of a toybuilding. I have thus served my primary inventive object which is toprovide a construction-type toy which is educational in nature and whichwill serve the requirements of a large number of children in diverse agebrackets.

I claim:

1. In a toy structure, a plurality of plastic building blocks adapted tobe stacked in vertical alignment one upon another, each said blockhaving a hollow interior open at the top and bottom, said open tops andbottoms being adapted to be arranged in vertical registration,complementary pin and fork means on said block adapted to secure saidblocks against lateral displacement relative to one another when invertical juxtaposition, said means including a plurality of pins spacedlaterally about the hollow interior of the top rib of each said blockand protrudable vertically into en agement with a like plurality ofcomplementary forks spaced laterally about the hollow interior of thebottom rib of another said block stacked therewith, each such fork beingarranged to straddle one of said pins, the hollow interior of each saidbuilding block being bounded by four panels having abuttingcomplementary ends arranged at right angles one with another, anddovetail means for detachably interlocking said abutting ends, saiddovetail means including an elongated dovetail tenon carried at one endof each panel and a complementary elongated dovetail recess carried atthe opposite end, complementary ones of said tenons and recesses beingarranged to mesh and interlock at right angles to prevent movement ofeach panel longitudinally of the tenon carried thereby but toaccommodate detaching movement longitudinally of the recess carriedthereby.

2. In a toy structure including a plurality of plastic toy buildingblocks, said blocks being interlocked one with another to preventrelative displacement between the individual blocks, such buildingblocks each having interlocking end and side panels detachably joinedone with another, each such panel comprising; an elongated, rightangular parallelogram having a thin, fiat wall bounded between a top,bottom, and two end peripheral margins, a fiat rib of uniform depthprojecting laterally in from said fiat wall and extending completelyabout said peripheral margin, a dovetail tenon formed in that portion ofsaid rib bounding one end mar-- gin of said panel and projectinglongitudinally from said one end margin, a dovetail recesescomplementary to said dovetail tenon and formed in that portion of saidrib bounding the opposite end margin of said panel, an upstanding pinprotruding beyond the plane of that portion of said flat ri'b boundingsaid top margin, said pin lying parallel to said wall and being carriedat a point intermediate said end margins, and a fork complementary tosaid upstanding pin and protruding laterally in from intermediate theends of that rib portion bounding said bottom margin and lying in theplane of said rib portion.

3. A plastic panel for use in the assembly of a toy building block,comprising an elongated right angular parallelogram having a thin wallbounded between a top, bottom, and two end peripheral margins, a fiatsurfaced rib of uniform depth projecting laterally in from said wall andextending completely aboutsaid peripheral margin, said rib and wallbeing normal along said top and bottom margins, a plurality of dovetailtenons formed in that portion of said rib bounding one end margin ofsaid panel and projecting longitudinally from said one end margin, eachsaid dovetail tenon having a flat end face and two oblique side facesall lying normal to said wall, a plurality of dovetail recessescomplementary to companion ones of said dovetail tenons and formed inthat portion of said rib bounding the opposite end margin of said panel,each said dovetail recess having two oblique side faces bounding alateral taper and having an inner end face lying normal to said wall, anupstanding pin protruding beyond the plane of that portion of said flatrib bounding said top margin, said pin lying parallel to said wall andbeing carried at a point intermediate said end margins, and a forkcomplementary to said upstanding pin and protruding 7 laterally in fromintermediate the ends of that rib portion bounding said bottom marginand lying in the plane of said rib portion, said fork having two prongsspaced longitudinally a distance substantially equal to the thickness ofsaid pm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 264,066 Crandall Sept. 12, 1882 750,561 Allerding Jan. 26,1904 Number Number 8 Name Date Beardsley Aug. 8, 1916 Isoardi Aug. 1,1922 Ordway Dec. 16, 1924 Sixta Apr. 5, 1927 Colby June 9, 1931 Fay Oct.20, 1936 McNeill June 1'7, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date AustriaOct. 25, 1928

